"Inside the Ark and Other Stories" by Caryll Houselander, illustrated by Renee George, published by Sheed & Ward, New York, 1956, First American Edition. These stories were first published in The Children's Messenger, London, England].

Original dust jacket shows has label on spine, soiling and wear, it is protected in clear mylar cover, hard boards, green cloth with red lettering on spine [the dust jacket was attached to the boards via scotch and left stains [see photos]; 5" x 7.3/4"; 144 pages, several line drawings, some wear. Discarded library book with labels, stamps and pocket on the back endpaper, good condition.

"These twelve short stories are about children and animals in many different times and places. The characters include a tiger in Noah's Ark, a boy in Jerusalem in the time of Our Lord, a band of gypsies, and two uncommunist cows in present-day Russia... [from the front flap of the dj]

Caryll Houselander (1901-1954) was a British artist, mystic, popular religious writer and poet.

Her first book, "This War is the Passion", was published in 1941 and in it she placed the suffering of the individual and its meaning within the mystical Body of Christ. For a time, she became publisher Sheed & Ward's best selling writer, drawing praise from people such as Ronald Knox:

"she seemed to see everything for the first time, and the driest of doctrinal considerations shone out like a restored picture when she had finished with it. And her writing was always natural; she seemed to find no difficulty in getting the right word; no, not merely the right word, the telling word, that left you gasping."

During the Second World War, doctors began sending patients to Houselander for counseling and therapy. Even though she lacked formal education in this area, she seemed to have a natural empathy for people in mental anguish and the talent for helping them to rebuild their world.

Renee George (Renate Judith Georg, 1924-2010) was an American artist and illustrator. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and emigrated to the US as a stateless fifteen-year-old in August 1939. George studied art in New York. Specialized in drawing and watercolor, she illustrated numerous books.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) --------- $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-4 weeks) -- $28.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-5 weeks) --- $42.50